The bronchoscopy procedure allows us to see inside the air passages that lead to your lungs. We use a bronchoscope, a long, thin tube with a camera on the tip.
Why Do You Need a Bronchoscopy?
A bronchoscopy allows doctors to:
- Diagnose a lung disease or infection
- Examine obstructions and secretions
- Get a tissue sample, called a biopsy
- Obtain a secretion sample
- Investigate the source of a persistent cough or blood that is being coughed up
- Check for a foreign object you inhaled
Possible Complications
Problems from the procedure are rare, but all procedures have some risk. Your doctor will review potential problems, like:
- Reaction to anesthesia
- Bleeding
- Collapsed lung
- Irregular heart rate
- Infection
- Sore and swollen throat
Before your procedure, talk to your doctor about ways to manage factors that may increase your risk of complications such as:
- Smoking
- Drinking
- Chronic disease such as diabetes or obesity
Preparing for a Bronchoscopy
Prepping for the procedure, you could have:
- Physical exam
- Blood tests
- X-rays
- CT scan
Leading up to your procedure:
- Arrange for a ride to and from the procedure.
- The night before, eat a light meal. Do not eat or drink anything after midnight.
Bronchoscopy Description
Local anesthetic will be given to numb your throat. This will also help prevent coughing and gagging. Sometimes, a bronchoscopy is done under general anesthesia. In this case, you will be asleep.
The bronchoscope is a long, thin tube. It will be inserted through your nose or mouth. The scope will be passed down the throat and into the lungs.
The scope sends an image of the lung tissue to a monitor. The images and the scope may be used to remove a small tissue sample. If a foreign body is present, we can take it out through the scope. If a lavage is planned, a water solution may be used to wash an area. The solution is then removed and sent to a lab for examination.
The removed tissue or secretions will be sent to a lab for examination.
How Long Does a Bronchoscopy Take?
Less than 1 hour.
How Much Will It Hurt?
Anesthesia prevents pain during the procedure. You may feel a tugging sensation when the doctor removes a tissue sample. You may also have some breathing difficulty or shortness of breath during the procedure.
Expect some soreness in your throat and hoarseness for a few days after the procedure. Any discomfort after the procedure can be managed with medications.
After the Lung Exam Procedure
Right after the procedure, the staff may:
- Take an X-ray of your lungs
- Encourage you to sip water
- If you had to stop medications before the procedure, ask your doctor when you can start again.
- Be sure to follow your doctor's instructions.
Signs of a Problem
After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occurs:
- Signs of infection, including fever and chills
- Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
- Coughing up more than a teaspoon of blood
- Severe nausea or vomiting
- Increased or unusual stridor, which is a noisy sound that is heard when breathing
- Pain that you cannot control with the medications you have been given